HEARTBROKEN loved ones of missing Leanne Chambers are today waking up to the news that she is never coming home again.

HEARTBROKEN loved ones of missing Leanne Chambers are today waking up to the news that she is never coming home again.

Police have confirmed a body found in the River Wear five weeks ago is that of the 30-year-old, who disappeared five months ago.

Leanne had slipped out of the house she shared with boyfriend Steven Crossland, in Chester-le-Street late on February 23.

The sales coordinator, who had battled depression for a number of years, had taken a turn for the worse after receiving a letter telling her she had to be assessed by a doctor to see if she was fit to return to work.

But when Steven, 35, went to bed that Tuesday night, leaving Leanne watching television with a bottle of wine, he had no idea it would be the last time he saw his partner.

Leanne walked out of their home some time after midnight.

And when she failed to return Steven reported her missing, and a huge search operation was launched.

Leanne’s mobile phone was found discarded on a bench in Chester-le-Street’s Riverside Park.

And divers from Northumbria Police’s Marine Unit, found her purse and coat in the River Wear.

But Steven, who met Leanne three years ago at car parts supplier Calsonic Kansei, in Washington, where they both worked, never gave up hope that his girlfriend would be found alive.

And even when the body was recovered, at Cox Green, between Penshaw and Sunderland, he told the Chronicle, he was hoping and praying it was not her.

But results from DNA tests have now confirmed Leanne’s family’s worst fears.

Her mum, Val Chambers, said although she was heartbroken the news would at least allow the family, who have been living in limbo since Leanne disappeared, to move on.

“Knowing that Leanne has now been found we can put her to rest,” she said. “Ever since she went missing we have lived with the agony of wondering what had happened to her, reacting to every knock on the door, every phone call or every car which pulled up outside.

“We will always remember her as the life and soul of any party, whose smile lit up the room when she walked in. Wherever she worked Leanne had a group of friends, she loved socialising and was such a bubbly person.”

Leanne was born in Shildon, County Durham, and went to the local Sunnydale Comprehensive School, before getting a degree in business studies from Teesside University.

Mrs Chambers added: “We are absolutely heartbroken to have lost Leanne, but we are a large family who all support each other. I would also like to thank both Calsonic Kansei and Formica Ltd, who I work for. They have both been brilliant in terms of their help and support, as have the police officers involved.” Described by her mother as a “fitness fanatic”, Leanne was also a keen karaoke singer and had even applied to take part in the auditions for the X Factor which were held in Manchester in April. She leaves an older sister, Michelle and younger brother, David.

Her aunt Christine Toase said: “It’s been awful not knowing all this time, we’ve been on a constant roller-coaster of emotions. But now that we know Leanne has been found at least we have some form of closure.”

A Facebook group set-up to help find Leanne has turned into a memorial page overnight.

Alison Lye Bradshaw wrote: “My heart goes out to all Leanne’s family you will be dearly missed by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing you .”